English abstract
Background: Infertility leads to significant mental health issues and stressful conditions for women with infertility, affecting their QOL and marital stability (Monga et al., 2004). Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate how infertility affects the QOL and couple’s relationship among Omani female patients attending infertility clinic at Sultan Qaboos Hospital (SQUH).
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study used a quantitative approach to accumulate and analyse data on the prevalence of various factors that may contribute to the emotional distress and frustration associated with infertility among 150 women seeking infertility treatment in SQUH. Women were asked to fill the paper-based questionnaires assessing their quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and marital adjustment (R-DAS) levels. SPSS software version 28 was used to analyse the data with a 0.05 of statistical significance value was considered significant.
Results: Majority (40%, n = 60) of the patients who attended the infertility clinic were from Muscat governorate, with the most frequent age group was over 35 years old. The WHOQOL BREF scale revealed a mean total score of 69.4 (SD+-11.03). The lowest mean score (54.19) was in the domain of mental health while the highest score (75) was in the domain of social relationship. The R-DAS scale median score is 54.0 (Range=29-69) indicating an average of a non-distressed marital relationship. The overall QoL was not significantly different between women with secondary and primary infertility and so was the marital adjustment score (p>0.05). However, physical domain showed marginally significant (p = .051) positive correlation with women with infertility and low income. While those who married in their 20s have significantly lower physical (p = .005) and mental (p = .009) quality of life than those who married in their 30s. Mental health domain of QOL was also substantially positively correlated with being a multiple wife (p = .0030) and younger in age (age < 25, p = .048) (age 26-34, p = .028). The results of marital adjustment were highly negatively? associated with younger age at marriage (p = .015).
Conclusion: Omani women with infertility reported an average overall QoL with lowest QoL in mental health domain. Women more than 30 years old, married at young age, with higher education level showed less QoL and more distressed marital relationship. Offering psychological assistance to couples seeking infertility treatment by healthcare experts can enhance their quality of life and marital relationships.
